Responsibilities of a Chief Engineer for a ship in Dry-Dock

Drydocking is one of the most important activities that a vessel may come across. Hence a good planning and co-ordination will be vital towards successful completion of dry dock.

The dry docking is governed by various factors:-

1) Classification society requirement2) Statutory requirement3) Condition of vesselSo for a successful drydock there should be a good co-ordination between master and chief engineer so that all the works are completed at time without any casualty.

As a chief engineer following are the exchange of information which will be necessary with the master:-

1) Class, survey and statutory requirement
2) Scope of work in drydock categorizing especially time required, shore gang required, work that is to be done by engine room and dock staff.
3) ROB of bunkers and L.O. to be shared by master
4) Any requirement for pumping of black water, oil sludge to reception facilities and its arrangement.
5) Spare requirements as to what all spares have arrived and what will be arriving.
6) List of survey items to be submitted to master.
7) Any special requirement like covering of vents, opening of tanks when grit blasting is performed.
8) Co-ordination with master to required list and trim and put accordingly fuel oil and fresh water tanks in use as advised by him.
9) Communicate with master as to be in touch with company regarding any new requirements which ship will be fulfilling after dry dock. i.e. to fulfill any compliance towards statutory requirements.
10) Any rules laid down by yard should be informed to ship personnel by master.
11) A pre docking tank cleaning and line washing plan to be informed by master to chief engineer to mobilize the resources to carry out the operation.
12) All refit requirements to be submitted as stated with appropriate data e.g. pipe repair material, location, staging required etc.
13) If any changes to be made in the emergency teams in the dry dock should be well consulted before dry dock.

Delegation of responsibility to engine room staff:-

Preparedness for the same will start well in advance of the dry dock. The preparedness will include the following:-1) How to change over main engine and boiler in diesel oil.2) How to change the ship power to shore power taking in account of voltage and frequency.3) Requirement of cooling of fridge and A/C plant4) Method of sewage disposal.5) Securing of heavy weights.6) Tanks and coffer dams to be sounded.7) Chief engineer and second engineer who are management level personnel of engine room department, to make a rough plan to delegate responsibility of various jobs.8) Chief engineer will delegate responsibility for arranging spares as they arrive.9) Personnel to prepare tags for various valves with job number and fix them on valve.10) All safety aspects discussed and safety precautions to be followed. All engine room personnel to be briefed about safety and asked to check the shore personnel regarding safe working culture.11) A day to day work report to be made and discussed to check whether all jobs are proceeding as per schedule or there is some delay. If same look into them.12) Chief engineer and second engineer to divide and co-ordinate various surveys which they will oversee.Now while undocking of vessel there should be proper co-ordination between ship and yard personnel.

Various inspection and co-operation with dry dock personnel are:-

1) Check about the plan of dry dock and ensure that all works have been completed.

2) Check paint work has been completed.

3) Hull repair completed.

4) All tanks plugs are in place and secured.

5) All anodes are fitted. Grease/ paper used on them while painting, are removed.

6) Echo sounder transducer is cleaned of paper and grease.

7) Propeller rope guard is fitted properly and propellers are on dock mark.

8) Oil is not leaking from stern tube.

9) Rudder plugs are in place.

10) Ensure all valves are shut.

11) Sea grids are in place

12) Ensure all tanks are at same level while entry so as to have same trim when refloating

13) Verify weight log certificate ( no heavy weight has been shifted)

Duties of a C/E in dry dock:-

To brief engine room staffs before docking and ensure they under stand their respective duties.

Preparation of machinery survey in dry dock

Preparation of dry dock list .

Study previous dry dock reports and note clearance to be measured .

Ensure all tools and spares are ready for use .

Liaise with the shipyard manager and contractor to ensure correct works carried out .

Emergency lightening and generator set to be tested before docking in case of shore power failure.

Fire fighting equipments on board to be checked and tested and make ready for use .

All tanks, wells and coffer dams to be sound and recorded.

Minimum bunker and ballast to be carried.

To ensure filter elements in oily water separator and renewed and system is checked and system is checked for satisfactory function.